Ronald Lee Hornback, Sr.

Ronald Lee Hornback, Sr. died unexpectedly on Friday, April 19, 2013 at his home in Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona following a brief illness. He was 71 years old. Ronald was born on July 10, 1941 in Fullerton, Orange County, California to his father, Floyd Hornback and his mother, Bessie Winifred (Artist Stovall) Hornback. As a young man, Ronald enlisted in the United States Army and for 3 years served as a paratrooper. Following his honorable discharge from the military in 1962, Ronald began a long and successful career as fireman for the City of San Diego in California. He worked for the San Diego Fire Department for nearly 15 years before he physically became disabled and had to retire. He moved to Arizona about 20 years ago and lived several years in Prescott and served as its Fire Chief for a short time. Most recently, Ronald worked for F.E.M.A. and was able to offer his expertise wherever it was needed. He married Elma Walpert on October 8, 2010 in Show Low, Arizona and has made the White Mountains his home ever since. From his days in the military, Ronald developed a great love for parachuting. He has enjoyed the activity for the past 50 years and was able to make his final jump at the age of 70. He, too, enjoyed being outside and always appreciated a calm lake where he could cast his fishing line. Some of his favorite fishing holes were in Alaska and, over the years, he was able to go on several fishing trips there. He and his family were planning a big fishing trip there for this summer when he suddenly died. Another activity that Ronald enjoyed doing was hunting elk. Living in the White Mountains, he had several opportunities to go hunt and always appreciated the peaceful feeling of being in the great-out-of-doors. Ronald his survived by his wife, Elma Hornback of Show Low, Arizona; 2 children: Ronald Lee (Lynn) Hornback, Jr. of Monroe, Washington, Rhonda (Rick) Coler of Sequim, Washington; 4 grandchildren: Colton Hornback, Carlee Hornback, Derick Coler and Mattie Coler; 4 step-children: Vincet M. Walpert of Tucson, Arizona, Miriam (Jeffrey Scott Hazelton, II) Walpert of Tucson, Arizona, Zebedee Walpert of Tucson, Arizona, Jeremiah Walpert of Dallas, Texas and his step-father, Edwin Lewis of Lakeside, Arizona. Ronald was most recently preceded in death by his mother, Bessie W. Artist-Stovall Hornback Kauzlarich Grizzle-Lewis who died early this morning, May 1, 2013. Visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona. The graveside service with military honors will begin 1:30 P.M., Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at The National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 23029 N. Cave Creek Road in Phoenix, Arizona.